Beliefs about dietary factors in breast cancer prevention among American women, 1991 to 1995

Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practice towards breast cancer prevention among the female population of Iran University of medical science students

Diet plays a measurable role in breast cancer (BC) prevention. The aims of this study were to assess nutrition-related BC prevention Knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of female university students and to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics of students and their KAP. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 500 female students from Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS). A pretested self-administered questionnaires were used to assess the participants' nutrition-related BC prevention KAP. A total of 500 students completed the survey. Students' knowledge with the mean score of 16.97, significantly varied by age (P= 0.03), the field of study (P= 0.001) and family history of BC (P= 0.01). The mean score of attitudes and practice toward nutrition-related BC prevention factors were 24.86 and 39.39, respectively. A significant relationship was observed between nutrition knowledge and attitude (r = 0.27, P < 0.001). Also, Nutrition-related attitudes were positively correlated with the BC prevention dietary practices (r = 0.23, P < 0.001). Nutrition KAP about BC prevention factors was found to be influenced by individual factors such as age, field of study, familial history of BC, job and residency status. Together, our findings confirm that increasing nutrition knowledge is not sufficient for dietary behavior change, but is necessary.

Diet-Related Colorectal Cancer Prevention Beliefs and Dietary Intakes in an Urban Minority Population

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and third most commonly diagnosed cancer among adults. This study is the first to examine the relationship between diet-related beliefs for colorectal cancer prevention and dietary intake among an urban, predominantly Black population (n = 169). More than two-thirds reported diet-related CRC prevention beliefs. Those with diet-related CRC prevention beliefs had healthier intakes for dietary fiber (p = .005), fruit, vegetable, bean (p = .027), red meat (p = .032), vitamin C (p = .039), and cholesterol (p = .045). Most people may already have diet-related CRC prevention beliefs and having them is associated with a more healthful dietary intake.

Nutrition-related cancer prevention cognitions and behavioral intentions: testing the risk perception attitude framework

This study tested whether the risk perception attitude framework predicted nutrition-related cancer prevention cognitions and behavioral intentions. Data from the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey were analyzed to assess respondents' reported likelihood of developing cancer (risk) and perceptions of whether they could lower their chances of getting cancer (efficacy). Respondents with higher efficacy were more likely to report that good nutrition can prevent cancer, and they reported more preventive dietary changes, as compared to respondents with lower efficacy. Respondents with higher efficacy were more likely to report intentions to change their diets to prevent cancer, and they reported more preventive dietary changes to their own diets but only at higher levels of risk. Results suggest that to improve cognitions about the role of nutrition in cancer prevention, interventions should target cancer prevention efficacy; however, to increase intentions to change nutrition behaviors, interventions should target efficacy and risk perceptions.

Nutrition-related cancer prevention attitudes in low-income women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the nutrition-related cancer prevention attitudes of low-income African American women, determine whether a nutrition education program can alter these attitudes, and determine whether these attitudes are related to diet and dietary changes.

METHOD

One-hundred and fifty-seven African American women from Washington, D.C. public housing communities participated in a nutrition education program from 2001 to 2003. They completed questionnaires assessing their attitudes about the role of nutrition in cancer prevention at baseline, post-intervention, and 4 months later. They also completed 24-hour food recalls at baseline, post-intervention, and 4 months later.

RESULTS

Women agreed that good nutrition prevents cancer, especially women with higher literacy, women with fewer children living at home, women who had not had experience with cancer, and women who were worried about their health. Participation in the program increased agreement that good nutrition prevents cancer over 4 months. Women whose agreement increased over the intervention were able to maintain dietary changes they made over 4 months.

CONCLUSION

Nutrition-related cancer prevention attitudes were strong and were strengthened by a nutrition education program. These attitudes may contribute to people's ability to maintain dietary changes.

Obesity and awareness of obesity as risk factors for breast cancer in six ethnic groups

OBJECTIVE

To document BMI and knowledge regarding obesity as a risk factor for breast cancer among subpopulations of African-, Caribbean-, and European-American women and to consider the variables predicting obesity in these diverse groups.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A stratified cluster-sampling plan was used to recruit 1364 older women from Brooklyn, NY, during 2000-2002. Two groups were born in the United States (African Americans and European Americans), whereas others were from the English-speaking Caribbean, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Eastern Europe. Participants provided demographics, height and weight measures, and estimates of the risk obesity posed for breast cancer.

RESULTS

Women from all groups were significantly overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m(2)), although European Americans were lowest, followed by Dominicans and Haitians; African-American and English-speaking Caribbean women fell into the obese range, even when background variables were controlled. Knowledge of obesity as a breast cancer risk factor was also poor across groups, but Dominicans and Haitians had the lowest scores on knowledge. Importantly, knowledge was not associated with BMI in the overall sample, even when controlling for demographics and ethnicity, although logistic regressions comparing normal weight women with overweight and obese groupings suggested some knowledge of breast cancer risk in the overweight, but not the obese, group.

DISCUSSION

The findings remind health professionals of the need to consider more specific ethnic groupings than has hitherto been the case, as well as consider how ethnic and cultural variables may influence perceptions of obesity and its relation to cancer risk.

Women's perspectives on nutrition, health, and breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore women's beliefs about diet, health, and breast cancer.

DESIGN

Individual interviews exploring women's perceptions of their eating habits, health status, and diet, health, and breast cancer beliefs.

SETTING

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

A culturally diverse convenience sample of women aged 40 to 60 years, including breast cancer survivors (n = 29) and women who had not had breast cancer (n = 32).

ANALYSIS

Verbatim interview transcripts were coded and themes developed by sorting and summarizing coded transcript segments.

RESULTS

Three perspectives on healthful eating were identified. A "traditional" perspective stressed regular meals of meat, potatoes, and vegetables and made no specific claims about the diet-breast cancer relationship. A "mainstream" perspective stressed increasing vegetables and fruits and decreasing fat intake to improve health, reduce cardiovascular disease risk, and, possibly, reduce breast cancer risk. An "alternative" perspective focused on the role of toxins, carcinogens, and protective factors in food in affecting cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Although overall perspectives on healthful eating were not related to participants' breast cancer status, they were related to how participants thought about the relationships between diet and breast cancer. Specific diet-cancer beliefs, degree of conviction about those beliefs, and reasons why foods are believed to be protective or harmful are indicative of overall nutrition perspectives.

Breast cancer patients have unmet needs for dietary advice

GOAL

This study investigated ideas and attitudes of breast cancer patients in two countries with reference to information on diet and their need for dietary counselling.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Australian breast cancer (ABC) patients (n=215) surveyed for alterations in dietary habits after diagnosis were compared with breast cancer patients in Finland (FBC; n=139). A validated questionnaire was used. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for differences in demographic patient characteristics between the groups.

RESULTS

Eight per cent of FBC and 54% of ABC patients saw diet as a factor contributing to their disease (P<0.00001). Thirty per cent of FBC and 39% of ABC reported changing their diet after being informed of the diagnosis (P=0.033). Higher education, younger age and longer (>1 year) time to diagnosis were significantly associated with the probability of changing diet among the Australian patients. The main reason given was the desire for cure. The most common source of information was the mass media, and a need for more information on dietary factors relating to disease was expressed by 32% of patients in each group.

CONCLUSION

Ideas about the importance of diet varied significantly among ABS and FBC patients. The lack of precise dietary recommendations for the individual situation was commonly mentioned, and patients depended on information obtained from outside their treatment centre.

Increased fruit, vegetable and fiber intake and lower fat intake reported among women previously treated for invasive breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To describe the dietary intake patterns of women before and after breast cancer diagnosis.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

3,084 women (age range 27 to 70 years) who had been treated for early-stage breast cancer, who were free of recurrent disease, and who were willing to complete study questionnaires.

DESIGN

A descriptive analysis of baseline demographic and lifestyle questionnaire data, including reported dietary intake data from women who have had breast cancer participating in a randomized, controlled dietary intervention trial. Outcomes include dietary intakes of high- and low-fat foods, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED

Analyses included frequency of intake of selected food items, chi2 analysis to determine associations between reported intakes and demographic and personal characteristics, and logistic regression to assess odds of making more healthful changes.

RESULTS

Women who have had breast cancer reported higher fruit, vegetable, and fiber-rich food intakes (58%, 60%, 38% more, respectively) and lower intakes of high-fat foods, including fast foods, after diagnosis. Those older than age 60 years were more likely to report no change in intake, including red meat (41%), vegetables (51%), and whole grains (62%). Odds ratios (OR) for more healthful diet choices varied by age and time since diagnosis. The longer the time since diagnosis the more likely women selected low-fat (vs high-fat) foods (OR 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.09 for 3 to 4 years vs <1 year after diagnosis) and reduced added fats (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.17-1.84 for 3 to 4 years vs <1 year after diagnosis).

APPLICATIONS

Women who have had breast cancer report more healthful diet habits after diagnosis. Through nutrition education and counseling, dietetics professionals may be able to promote healthful and evidence-based eating habits among women previously treated for breast cancer.

Female patients tend to alter their diet following the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer and rheumatoid arthritis are common diseases which change everyday life among women. This study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of female patients regarding diet and their need for dietary counseling in relation to years since diagnosis, age, and education.

METHODS

Breast cancer (BC) patients were compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for the differences in demographic patient characteristics between BC and RA. In addition, the influence of demographic variables was studied further in the BC and RA groups, separately or combined. chi(2) testing was used to analyze the associations between demographic and dietary variables.

RESULTS

Eight percent of BC patients and 40% of RA patients considered diet a factor contributing to their disease (P < 0.0001). Thirty percent of BC patients and 51% of those with RA reported having changed their diet after their diagnosis (P = 0.0003, chi(2)). The patients with RA had a 3.9 times higher assumption on the diet and disease connection compared to breast cancer patients (OR = 3.92, P = 0.002). Longer (>5 years) time to diagnosis increased the probability 2.6 times. The main reason for the change in diet was the desire for cure. The main changes reported included reduced consumption of animal fat, sugar, and red meat and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. The source of information was most commonly the mass media and a need for more information on dietary factors relating to disease was expressed.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed the patients to express an interest in alternative dietary habits, with the focus on a healthier diet. The lack of precise dietary recommendations for individual disease situations was expressed strongly and patients depended on information from outside their treatment center.